Once upon a time, Halima was in the fundraising world. But she wasn't a "make it rain" fundraiser. That's because Halima's success was built on the understanding that fundraising isn't just about money, it's about relationships. Hear about why your organization's attitude towards donors is crucial, why it's crucial to choose sustainability over survival, and how your can empower your entire team to be fundraising ambassadors. Plus Halima talked about a couple of free resources to boost fundraising capacity.

Most importantly, this episode reveals why Halima is such a strong leader and how wisdom can have a lasting impact on fundraising.

About Dr. Halima Leak Francis

Website: https://sopa.tulane.edu/degrees-programs/programs-study/public-administration

Halima is a nationally accomplished educator, practitioner and scholar whose career spans more than 20 years. She has focused on strengthening capacity, sustainability and equitable practices within nonprofits, philanthropy, and higher education administration. Halima joined Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement in 2019 to lead the development of the school’s public administration program. As the program’s founding director and professor of practice, she worked with school leadership and advisors to steer curriculum design, recruit a nationally accomplished faculty, and secure accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Under her leadership, the program exceeded launch expectations by tripling initial enrollment projections and was later named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, reinforcing its role as a contemporary voice for advancing inclusive public service and community leadership.

Halima joined Tulane from Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, a multi-sector, ethnically and culturally diverse civic organization specializing in providing culturally specialized social services. She has a proven track record of strengthening of communities through meaningful collaboration, strategic leadership, and philanthropic investment. Along with her work at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, she has developed programming and engaged public and private supporters on behalf of institutions such as the City University of New York School of Professional Studies, New York University, Barnard College, and Communities in Schools of Wake County (North Carolina). Throughout her career, Halima has also taught diverse populations of students, increasing educational and professional development access in public service related fields through online and blended learning environments.

Halima holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development where she also earned her master's degree in sociology of education. She earned her B.A. in English from Hampton University. A dedicated community volunteer, she prioritizes advancing systemic equity and inclusion by supporting organizations and programs that are committed to the same. She serves as a founding co-chair of the HERitage Giving Fund, Tulane History Project co-chair, Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Impact 100 co-chair, and Foundation for Louisiana board member. Additionally, Halima holds the Carnegie Corporation of NY Professorship in Social Entrepreneurship at Tulane’s Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C., she has lived and worked in cities throughout Virginia, New York, and Texas. She now enjoys her home in the New Orleans area with husband Eddie, who is an award-winning mass media veteran and New Orleans native. Her favorite times are spent with her husband, her amazing bonus son, other family members, friends, and pets.

Dr. Sheena Howard has succeeded because of a simple mantra: "This is not the end of my story." She joined "For Our Edification" to talk about the importance of her work as a creator who centers her work on representation. Having survived domestic abuse at one point of her life, Sheena's journey is a call to action for anyone who's ever felt lost or unseen. She shares the power of self-belief and becoming the hero of your own narrative. Discover how Sheena's personal leadership can help you to tap into your inner strength and find the will to march toward your full potential.

About Dr. Sheena Howard

Website: https://sheenachoward.com

Sheena C. Howard, is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and scholar. In 2014 Sheena became the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award (considered the ‘Oscars of Comics’) for her first book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation (2013). She is also the author of several critically acclaimed books and comics books. In 2017, Sheena published the Encyclopedia of Black Comics, which is the first book of its kind, profiling over 100 Black people in the comics industry. The Encyclopedia of Black Comics was named the 2018 American Library Associations’ Outstanding Reference Source.

In 2014, Sheena published Black Queer Identity Matrix and Critical Articulations of Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation. Sheena is the co-writer of the comic book, Superb about a teenage superhero with Down Syndrome.

Sheena has appeared on NPR, ABC, BBC, PBS as well as other networks and documentaries as an expert on popular culture, politics and social justice. Sheena is the subject of a 2018 Emmy-nominated episode of State of the Arts, which airs on NJTV and WHYY.

In 2016, Sheena directed, produced and wrote the documentary Remixing Colorblind, which explores the ways the educational system shapes our perception of race. Parts of the documentary were filmed at West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Lehigh University and Drexel University. The film premiered at The Ritz Landmark theatre in Philadelphia. Sheena organized and hosted a talk about race and education at the Philadelphia Main Library in 2017 as a part of her documentary tour in which proceeds from the event went to local non-profit organizations.

Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Sheena has twice received a Proclamation from the City of Philadelphia for her literary work, social justice and creative projects.

A dedicated mother, she is a professor at Rider University in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Outside of her full-time job, Sheena spends time writing and speaking to organizations and educational institutions on a variety of topics including social justice, diversity, and representation.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

At the age of 53, I found out that I have ADHD. Here's how it feels and this is how I'm handling it.

No one asked for this commencement address, but they got it.

Business is Liz Springer's business. For her, however, business growth is heavily connected to personal growth. Having endured significant challenges in the business world, as a woman, Liz is dedicated to working with small business owners to overcome their challenges to grow their businesses. It all comes with a big message--keep pushing. Liz visited "For Our Edification" with an inspiring message about standing up, investing the necessary time for professional and personal growth, and resilience.

For Our Edification is brought to you by Edify Ventures, LLC--Brand strategy for your people and you. Learn more at edifyventuresnola.com.

About Liz J. Springer

Website: lizjspringer.com or mystrategiesforgrowth.com

Liz J. Springer is a London-based international consultant who specializes in business strategy and video marketing techniques. With over 16 years of industry experience, she is a growth coach, an accomplished author of three books, and a national and international speaker.

Liz's work has been dedicated to helping and training small business enterprises in growth marketing strategies, management, and leadership skills. She has been working successfully with a number of businesses to achieve their goals, using an innovative approach to strategies and techniques to bring about change for the better in a way that would "bring out the right performance in people." She also specializes in custom video and video coaching as well as marketing techniques.

Besides delivering innovative training workshops in strategic leadership, idea generation and consulting, Liz has spoken at national, international conferences and seminars on personal and business development. She has regularly contributed to television programs, appearing on national lunchtime news, BBC international radio, and she has run her own show. Liz is also passionate about health and even wrote her own book on health.

Liz has worked as an independent management consultant amongst the top five consulting firms. She has worked with British Airways, Transport For London, Cazenove, Central Bank of Nigeria, Prevista, London universities, Equazen, and Rethink.

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

George Sedberry became a fan of Historically Black Colleges and Universities through African American history. He's not just any fan; he's a fan with, shall we say, a past. So, when and how did he make the life changing transformation that got him known on TikTok and Instagram as "The White George"? George visited "For Our Edification" to tell talk about his turning point in life, his advocacy, how he takes the time for his own growth and development, and the walk across America that he plans to do to bring more awareness to the importance of HBCUs.

About George Sedberry

Social media handle: @thewhitegeorge on TikTok and @thewhitgeorge Instagram

The views expressed on "For Our Edification" do not reflect the views of any entity with which the hosts or guests are affiliated.

American Black Gen Xers are buzzing with the release of "Freaknik: The Greatest Party Never Told." I watched it and two things stood out to me--one was folks' perception of Freaknik and the other was the way the documentary ended. I shared some thoughts.

On another note, I've had thoughts rattling around in my head for a while about what folks regularly regard as the "top" HBCUs. I'm not so sure this conversation serves us in the best way, and I talk about why.

Got thoughts? Let me hear them! Email eddie@eddiefrancis.com and I may share them on an upcoming episode of "For Our Edification."